IJJSingh

It would be wonderful, if both you and your husband took amrit together. However, according to Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM) it is not forbidden for one spouse to take amrit alone. There are some sampardas who would refuse amrit to just one spouse, some others would insist that after taking amrit you lead a celibate life until the second spouse takes amrit. So I suggest that you look into the maryada of the group who is doing amrit sanchar in your area, and find the group which follows SRM. There is an interesting episode in biography of Sant Attar Singh ji Mastuane. Sant ji did not place any restrictions if only one spouse wanted to take amrit. Once the guruduara manager, where amrit sanchar was being held, tried to stop sant ji from administering amrit to a single spouse. Sant ji said to him, "Amrit is a seed for Naam-Ras (Naam), Prem-Ras (Love) and Bir-Ras (bravery), it has no connection with a body". The manager kept opposing sant ji and arguing that sant ji was going against the maryada. Finally, sant ji said to the manager, "Premiya! OK, I will let you have your way, if you agree to take this sin upon yourself when you face the Guru in his court". The manager backed down. (p319, Biography Sant Attar Singh ji, Vol 1, By Sant Teja Singh). Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Bibi ji, In addition to the praises of the Lord, Gurbani is also a set of instructions, and as such we must listen carefully, reflect upon, and then follow. One thing, that Gurbani urges us to do again and again is to join the true sangat and repeat God's name. Joining the sangat is as important as doing simran. Singing gurbani and doing simran in a sangat is lot more effective than doing so alone. I am not discouraging you to stop simran/gurbani while alone, on the contrary please do so as much as you can, but also find a regular time when you can join sangat. With the Guru's grace, I have been following the Guru's path for decades, and enjoy every moment I get to spend with the Guru. However, I especially yearn for the time I get to spend in sangat, and feel the deficiency if for whatever reason I miss sangat. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

He passed away in 1969.

I agree, locating the above documents would remove all doubt. If the evidence was limited just to the above three documents, I too might be inclined to call it hagiography. However, before making a decision, we should look at the overall picture: There are over thirty other pieces of evidence including monuments, buildings, and references in literature going back to Bhai Gurdas Ji (please see table below from Appendix A of the book). If you haven’t already done so, I suggest that you read the Appendix A of this book before making up your mind. Consider the credibility of Sant Syed Ji, who was an eyewitness to much of the evidence provided in his manuscript. There are at least five buildings built in memory of Guru Ji, referenced by Sant Syed, which still stood until 1930, which were documented and visited by several other Sikhs and non-Sikhs. Also, there is a much photographed stone slab, from 1511 in Baghdad, with an inscription related to Guru ji (this slab was destroyed in 2003). We must look at Mushtaq Hussein’s (Sant Syed’s) credibility before we accept or discount his testimony. Mushtaq Hussein belonged to a very well-to-do and influential Syed family of Jammu Kashmir (Syeds are respected in Islam for being direct descendents of Prophet Mohammad). His grandfather was a cabinet minister, and his father was the highest religious leader (Pir) of Jammu. Mushtaq’s decision to adopt Sikhism came at a lot of peril and personal sacrifice for him. He lost his family and a comfortable lifestyle. As a Sikh, for decades he lived in abject poverty with people constantly making attempts on his life. Sikhism doesn’t quite encourage conversions - Mushtaq had to beg and cajole before he was initiated a Sikh. Mushtaq didn’t come up with these stories to justify his conversion after the fact. Before he became a Sikh, he shared his documented findings from the Middle East with Jathedar Achhar Singh and others in Lahore to convince them that he be initiated a Khalsa. While in the the Middle East, Mushtaq was in a much stronger position than most to research the Guru’s history. He was well educated. He spoke the local language. As a Muslim, he had access to people, places, and documents which people from other religions didn’t have. Above all, he was driven to seek out all and any information related to Guru ji in the Middle East. Table of evidence extracted from Appendix A of the book 'Taajudin's Diary' (Book is available at the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RZarO1zbeiH7OmgxJ1pjTJ-Z4LN38PuJ ) Important towns on Guru’s Route Monuments and Literature References Related to These Towns Talwandi, Sultanpur, Multan, Lakhpat, Karachi Meharban Janamsakhi, Historical Gurudwara at Lakhpat Hinglaj Puratan Janamsakhi, Meharban, Bhai Bala Janamsakhi, Historical monument at Hinglaj Aden Historical monument outside the fort Jeddah Monument of Nanak Shah Qalandar near the Tomb of Eve Makkah Taajudin – Sihayato Baba Nanak Shah Fakir , Zainul Abidin – Twarikhe Arab, Varan Bhai Gurdas, Puratan, Meharban, Bhai Bala, Makkahy Medina Di Gost, Dwelling of Nanak Shah – Guru’s Kharav (wooden shoe) was kept here (this dwelling is close to the Dwelling of Baba Farid), Another Memorial with a dome built in the middle of the city – Guru’s aasa (walking staff) was kept here Medina Taajudin, Bhai Gurdas, Meharban, Bhai Bala, Makkahy Medina Di Gost. A house where Guruji’s Kharav and Japuji Sahib pothi is kept. According to Mushtaq Hussein, he visited this house and talked to the owner Mehboob Ibne Jaffer who still followed Guruji. Amara, Kufa, Kai Kai Taajudin, Masjide Wali Hind in Amara, Memorial of Nanak Wali Hind outside Kufa in a cemetery near Karbala, Platform of Nanak Wali Hind in Kai Kai by Furat Canal – Karoon’s needle was kept here Baghdad Taajudin, Pir Abdul Rehman - Guniya-Ut-Salehin, Bhai Gurdas, Janamsakhi Bhai Mani Singh, Guru’s shrine in the cemetery, Guru’s well in the same cemetery, Stone slab with inscription (destroyed in 2003), Stone slab with inscription about the Guru and Pir Behlol (seen by Swami Ananda Acharya) Khorram Taajudin wrote that he separated from Guruji in Baghdad and went back to Medina as Guruji and Mardana left for Khorram Kandhar Bhai Bala Kabul, Jalalabad, Peshawar, Tila Bal Nath, Talwandi Puratan, Meharban, Guru’s shrines in Kabul and Jalalabad

In the year 1510 AD, Taajudin Naqshbandi, a Persian/Arabic writer met Guru Nanak Dev ji during his journey through the Middle East. For the next two years, Taajudin lived with the Guru and kept a detailed eyewitness account in a manuscript titled Siyahto Baba Nanak Fakir. After taking a leave from Guru ji, Taajudin deposited the manuscript in a library in Medina. In the year 1927, Mushtaq Hussein a young man from Kashmir, while studying as a moulvi in Medina came across Taajudin's manuscript. The manuscript changed Mushtaq's life, and he converted to Sikhism and and went on to become famous as Sant Syed Prithipal Singh. While in the Middle East, Mushtaq visited several places built in the memory of the Guru and spoke to Arabs who were still Guru ji's Sikhs. The book ‘Taajudin’s Diary’ is based on the unpublished autobiography of Sant Ji. The book retraces the transformational journeys of Taajudin and Mushtaq Hussein following in the footsteps of the great Guru. This remarkable must-read book references historical documents and monuments little-known in Sikhism. The appendices in this book also contain information on lesser-known travels of Guru Ji in Nepal and Himalayas. You can get a PDF version of the book Taajudin’s Diary by emailing to ijSingh6002@gmail.com or by downloading from the link below: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RZarO1zbeiH7OmgxJ1pjTJ-Z4LN38PuJ

I can understand your curiosity, because of your family connection. However, its best to stay away from these things. Even if one uses these powers for good, they are still anti-gurmat. I don't have any personal experience with it, I am including below what I have heard and read. The practice involves going to graveyards and controlling spirits through dark knowledge. The spirits resent this practice and the practitioner cannot have any offspring (Babies are killed usually before birth. In rare circumstances a baby survives if a saint intervenes.). I knew a man who practiced black knowledge in India, he told me that he chose to remain single rather than ruining his wife's life. Below are some excerpts from 'Katharian Santah' its a bigraphy of Sant Sangat Singh ji Kamaliye Wale. Sant ji hailed from a long line of saints which included Bhai Shamu Sachayar (a famous Sikh of Guru Har Rai ji). Bhai Seetal Das ji, Sant Sangat Singh ji's father, was a famous Sikh preacher but was also involved in dark knowledge. As a result, Bhai Seetal Das's offspring kept dying. Sant Sangat Singh ji was born with the blessing of Sant Sangat Das of Sachi Dahri. Eventually, Bhai Seetal Das's death was caused by one of the spirits he controlled. Before passing away, Bhai Seetal Das ji made Sant Sangat Singh ji promise that he will stay away from dark knowledge. The first excerpt describes briefly how these powers are attained. The second excerpt is about spirits trying to kill Sant Sangat Singh ji when he was a toddler.

A truly sad story, but an inspiring struggle for justice by a remarkable man. May Chaman Lal find peace in Lord's court. The following is another article about the same man: http://thewire.in/49212/chaman-lal-punjab-mass-cremations/

The five payare were the five Sikh volunteers who were the first five to be inducted in the Khalsa Order by Guru Gobind Singh ji. The Five K on the other hand are five mandatory signs Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (iron bracelet), Kangha (comb), Kirpan (dagger) and Kachh (Shorts) which every Khalsa must maintain. I assume that you mean 5 Pyare (the five beloved ones) and not 5K in your query above. Gurbani tells us that a person must efface ego before he/she can merge with God. A mark of effacing ego is to surrender tan/man/dhan (ie. surrender your body, mind and pocessions to the Guru or God). By the time of Guru Gobind Singh ji, the Sikhs had been reading this message in Gurbani for generations but not many were living it. The Guru wanted to establish Khalsa using correct role models. Hence he asked a Sikh to come forward to get his head chopped by the Guru's sword. When the first Sikh arose to the challenge, the Guru took the Sikh into a tent and emerged with a sword dripping blood. He repeated this action five times. In the end, the Guru brought the five volunteer Sikhs from the tent as Five Pyare. Other than the 5P and the Guru, no other mortal knows what really happened inside the tent. There is lots of speculation (you have mentioned two versions above). Once a Sikh asked Sant Isher Singh ji Rarawale what really happened inside the tent? Sant ji, who was an enlightened soul answered, "Since the Guru wanted to keep it a secret, why should we be speculating"? Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

The truth Guru and spiritual guides of other faiths want us to seek is God, which is inside us. This truth can be sought by weaning our mind from external (Maya/material world) and focusing on our own true-self (soul/God). Spirituality is a study of self. History is a study of the material world. Spirituality erases our perceived differences which are causing strife, and moves us towards one-ness. History on the other hand introduces a hodge-podge of truths/half-truths/lies spun often by people with large egos and deep biases and it is used by most to validate their own biases and to prove that they are better than others. Spirituality is a lens to God, one-ness and bliss. History is a lens into the ugliness of the material world, a battle less for truth more for ego, a source of strife. In spite of availability of abundant resources, writers and artists, Gurus went out of their way to discourage documentation of personal accounts or development of the personality cult so that seekers could instead focus on gurbani. Gurus took a lot of pain to explain that a Sikh's guru is not a physical person but rather the word. It didn't matter if the word was introduced to humanity by a Hindu or a Muslim, it is recognized as the Guru in SGGS just the same. If you wish to understand Guru Nanak, then read what Guru Nanak wrote himself, and read the definition of "Guru" given by Nanak. Your pursuit is trying to drag things into Guru's message, which the Guru worked hard to keep outside. I am the last person to discourage anybody from studying history. If used correctly, it is a valuable tool for improvement of human condition. However, this is a study orthogonal to spirituality - trying to reach a spiritual destination through history is like trying to reach North while traveling East. Spirituality tries to take us out of the muck of the material world, and history is all about getting into the muck of the material world. I am not sure what your real objective is. If you are looking for eternal truth, then reflect on your own self, start by following any prophet you respect, and inside you will meet God and all of his prophets. If your idea of "truth" is searching for what happened to some dead people long ago, then you can sift through "myriads of truths" and try to construct your "own version of the truth". Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Touching story of Satwant Singh Manak who has spent the last 19 years of his life trying to secure a fair hearing in the Indian court system for the innocent Sikhs he saw killed.

The rest of the page is translated below: Dohra (couplet) I hear that for [his] ten generations there is no sex with women Buddha Sahib (Baba Buddha ji) has given this up (sex), and he is greatly fortunate (713) Kaulan Speaks – Choupaee (four-lined verse) If Sahib Buddha were to renounce [sex], then he will have no descendants in this world Who would remember his name, my case will be the same? How will renouncing sex lead to happiness? (714) Shri Guru ji Speaks By meeting Guru Nanak, all the sorrows of Buddha Sahib disappeared If one were to receive mantar from somebody like Guru Nanak, he will enjoy great happiness of sons (715) Soratha (type of verse) Third in line, Bhana was born (Bhai Bhana was Baba Buddha ji’s son. I am not sure why Bhai Bhana ji would be third in line, by my count, he should be second), and listen more were born [down the generations] Then I tell you about Sahib Sarwan (Bhai Sarwan was the son of Bhai Bhana ji) he was lal (ruby or favorite son) in the fourth generation (716) Dohra Sahib Jhanda, in the fifth generation became world famous (Bhai Jhanda ji was the son of Bhai Sarwan ji) Sahib Gurditta , born in the sixth had great powers (Bhai Gurditta ji was the son of Bhai Jhanda ji) (717) Choupaee He [Bhai Gurditta] shall accompany the Ninth Guru, and with the Guru will sacrifice his life in Delhi Sahib Raam Kaur is his [Gurditta’s] son, he will attain great fame (718) With the Tenth Guru, he will do marvelous things, he [Raam Kaurji] will be immensely holy and people will sing his praises The Guru will bestow a khitaab (title) on him (Raam Kaurji became Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh ji). Listen to me Kaulan, he will be given the name by the Guru (719) Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Chatanga ji, The following is my take on the Chaupi above: Guru's speech Chaupai Hari/Raam has created this roaring play and put this world under the control of foolish men and women The Pure, Eternal, True being, has placed them under a veil which has concealed the color [truth] from them If a man were to contemplate on what’s important, then he will become aware of nij-roop (his true being) and will attain bliss Such an [enlightened] man will perceive this world as a dream, and a mine of pains, he will shun attachment to women [family] (711) Guru Nanak the pure Primal Spirit started this tradition, listen with concentration He [Nanak] revealed the mantar from the True Name, consuming which the desire of having sons [children] goes away Because of this I did not indulge in sex, but my mantar created the 4 sons (Alternative meaning: My focus in life was not to have sex and produce children. Instead, my focus was mantar, and those who focus on mantar get blessed with comforts of family - i.e. four sons) So focus your mind on that (mantar of Guru Nanak), give up thoughts of sex and achieve happiness.(712) Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

Thanks for providing the list. Going by this list, I counted 19 (16%) people who appear to be Sikhs. This is over ten times the proportion of Sikhs in per-independence India. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji i Fateh

Freedom struggle was multi-faceted, it would be difficult to define what constitutes a "sacrifice", let alone assign a statistic to it. However, when you look at official statistics for some key areas and events, Sikhs' contribution was overwhelmingly higher compared to the other Indian communities. The following are statistics provided by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Maulana was a famous scholar and a freedom fighter, he became the first Education Minister of Independent India): Out of 2125 Indians killed in atrocities by the British, 1550 (73%) were Sikhs. Out of 2664 Indian deported for life to Andaman islands (the place where the British exiled political prisoners and hardened criminals), 2147 (80%) were Sikhs. Out of 121 Indians sent to gallows, 73 (60%) were Sikhs. At Jalliawalla Bagh out of the 1302 men, women and children slaughtered, 799 (61%) were Sikhs Above statistics are also quoted on p185, The Sikhs in History a millenium study. by Dr. Sangat Singh. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh

The man in above video is Narinder Grewal. You can read more about him below: http://www.sikhsentinel.com/sikhsentinel0306/narindergrewal.htm http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?/topic/18766-narinder-grewal-the-return/ Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh